Advice on 3 weeks Tohoku trip from 5 Nov

Hi guys, got a list of questions (Please bear with me), hope you can help to clarify a few. We will be taking public transport throughout the trip

1. Oirase Gorge > Towada Was thinking if Isheigedo be a better place to start hiking if we want to catch the boat ride. The last boat from nenokuchi is at 1.30pm and the first bus will only arrive at Oirase Keiryu Onsen at around 10am. Read online that it will take around 4hr to hike to nenokuchi. Couple in their late 20s here, do you think we can walk faster and make it to the boat? Or its better to just miss shimeiki and samidare?

2. For Hakkoda, is mt Odake route to the summit hard after taking the ropeway up? We dont really have experience hiking mountains. If it's too difficult for beginners, we will probably take the easier route (kenashi paradise line) to sakuya onsen

3. Is the bus from Aomori to Oriase/ropeway only operating till 7 Nov? The bus operator website seems to indicate so
https://www.jrbustohoku.co.jp/route/

4. Goshogawara's Tachineputa Museum vs Aomori's Nebuta Museum WA RASSE. Those look pretty much similar to me when I Google. Which one should we go?

5. Takayama Inari Shrine. Best to visit in the morning or try to catch the sunset there for the view? Will be doing a day trip along to hirosaki park

6. Planning to do a day trip from Akita to Shirikami Sanchi to see the lakes, but seems like the rail from Akita to Juniko seems to be damaged (when I googled the route or use Jorudan to check) The buses from Juniko also seems to be suspended as well (from the links), although we can walk in
https://www.shirakami-visitor.jp/
http://www.konanbus.com/travel/junilake.html

7. Initially we were planning to visit Mt. Kurikoma and Mt Hachimantai in maybe 15 Nov, but seems like there are no more buses when googling there am I right?

8. Similar question to the above, planned to visit Mt Zao -Okama Crater on 24 Nov, planned to take the ropeway up and hike to the crater, but it seems that it will be closed in early Nov? Any other things to do other than the onsen there if we were to go to the area for the ropeway?

9. Any other attractions near/at Jodogahama Beach other than hiking and taking the boats? Planning for a day trip from Morioka.

10. Have not really looked out for places to eat. Any food recommendations? Specific restaurants to try?


I know its alot, appreciate if you can answer just 1 or 2 of the questions. Thanks alot guys

You know, Tohoku is vast area.you can buy
Gono Line Free pass 2 day =3880 yen
Tsugaru free pass 2 day =2100 yen
sendai marugoto pass 2 day=2720 yen
Aoimori rail 1 day pass=2100 yen

⓽ If you have time, you may want to visit the Ryusendo Cave when in Morioka/Jodogahama. I'm no expert on Morioka, but the best dinner I ate there was at Nanbu-bistro Unmenos. They have lots of sake brewed in Tohoku. It's located inside the Morioka Station Building, so it is convenient.
https://goo.gl/maps/X2gP6cWEs1fgUf3S6

https://goo.gl/maps/MR43Erprs8YhApXG7

1. I started at Yakeyama 2 Nov 2016, walked straight until the last bus stop (Towadako, I think). One thing to bear in mind is the leaves has past the peak so the color has mostly fallen off, yet it still gives the a very picturesque photo. That's why the bus has reduced its timing -- do check carefully to ensure you dont miss the bus (like I did T_T). The trail itself is very flat, 4 hrs for brisk walk should be sufficient, but if you're easy to get mesmerised by streams and will likely spend time to take a lot of slow shutter stream photo, do buffer for more time. I can't advise on the onsen or the boat, but it will depend on what you like. Boat will bring you from point A to point B with leisure. Walking will give some enjoyment of brisk walking though the sceneries will be mostly the same, except for the major stream. Personally, I would want to go return again and did the 4 hrs walk again.

4. I've been to WA-RASSE and love it, didn't go to the other one so I didn't have comparison. I stayed at a hotel next door so it's easy access from the train station as well.

10. I stayed for few days at Aomori and I really love the city and the food. It's been 6 yrs ago, I would still return in a heartbeat if I have chance:
- Ajino Sapporo Oonishi for curry milk butter ramen (https://g.page/ajisapo_oonishi?share)
- Osanai Shokudo (https://goo.gl/maps/4awL7EVACu63vuFv5)
- Aomori Gyosai Centre for the nokke-don (https://goo.gl/maps/Gc7ix6osFm6x4dgk6)
- A-factory for apple cider and apple pies. It's just opposite of WA-RASSE (https://goo.gl/maps/VcZG2bqVbqaZWQL68)
- Apples!! There are some fruit shops near Aomori station where the apple is huge and super sweet.

4. Aomori City's nebuta (Warasse Museum) is more "3D" and artistic IMO.

One suggestion, go to the furthest north then make your way down. iOn your date of travel, Tohoku has past the autumn (colors have fallen off) and starts to get really cold, while south Tohoku will be still on early autumn. Risshaku-ji will be awesome to explore.

Thx guys for the response, really appreciate it. Guess Warasse Museum is it then.

@moccy yeah, we will be making our way down from aomori > Akira > morioka > sendai > yamagata

@Ito ryusendo cave is in the itinerary but it's hard to squeeze it in with Jodogahama on the same day with public transport.

How are the roads there? I have actually just got my driving license and can get an international license to rent a car but dont really have much experience driving around

This web site has a guide to Ryusendo Cave (I did not know that when I went).
I took the bus from Morioka Station, as shown near the bottom of this ref:
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5028.html